Renal Sodium-potassium Adenosine Triphosphatase. Optical Localization and X-ray Microanalysis

The distribution of sodium-potassium adenosine triposphatase (Na-K-ATPase) activity in kidney sections has been studied by a method based on the hydrolysis of p-nitrophenyl phosphate in alkaline medium containing dimethyl sulfoxide. The products at each stage in the reaction sequence have been subjected to electron probe microanalysis. The initial product was identified as a mixture of KMgPO4 and Mg(PO4)2, and sequential analysis demonstrated the linearity of conversion of this product to a visible form. In human, rabbit and rat kidneys the distribution of activity was found to be essentially identical, with highest levels located in thick ascending limbs and distal convoluted tubules. The initial reaction was completely potassium dependent and was inhibited by ouabain in concentrations reflecting the relative sensitivity of microsomal Na-K-ATPase in each species. Measurement of initial product phosphorus by means of the electron probe is presented as a practical technique for direct quantitation of Na-K-ATPase activity in identified tubule segments.